Morris David Bell PhD, ABPP

Biographical Info

Dr. Morris Bell is Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and Senior Research Career Scientist for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service. Trained as a clinical and neuropsychologist, Dr. Bell’s career as clinician and researcher has been devoted to exploring interventions to restore cognitive and work function for people with severe and persistent mental disorders. His work spans three decades and has had wide national and international influence.

Dr. Bell’s research on work rehabilitation has revealed that cognitive impairment is a rate-limiting factor in improving work function. As a result, he has been at the forefront of developing cognitive remediation interventions. He has found that cognitive remediation can improve vocational outcomes in work therapy and supported employment. His current studies are funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dr. Bell is currently involved in the development of a computer-based, simulated job interview role-playing program that will allow patients to prepare for job interviews through repeated practice with accurate and specific feedback. Dr. Bell has also developed a number of psychological instruments related to social cognition and social functioning including the Bell Object Relations Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI) and the Bell Relationship Inventory for Adolescents (BRIA), both published by Western Psychological Services, and the Bell Lysaker Emotion Recognition Test, the Social Attribution Test - Multiple Choice, and the American version of the Hinting Task. Other tests he has co-developed include the Work Behavior Inventory and the Vocational Cognitive Rating Scale.

Dr. Bell is the director of an NIMH post-doctoral fellowship program for research training of psychiatrist and psychologists in disability interventions. He also serves as Chair of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System IRB. The American Psychological Association has recognized Dr. Bell with a national award for Distinguished Contributions to Science in Public Service.